IN THE WAKE OF THE RAPE AND MURDER OF 10 YEAR OLD VICTORIA MARTENS, ALBUQUERQUE AND BERNALILLO COUNTY TACKLE CHILD ABUSE PROBLEMS. A JOINT CITY COUNCIL-COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY NIGHT DREW BOTH RESIDENTS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. A MEMBER OF THE SHERIFF’S SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT SAID THEY GET SO MANY CHILD ABUSE CASES THAT THEY CAN’T RESPOND TO ALL OF THEM.
SOME OF THE SUGGESTIONS INCLUDED ADDING MORE SOCIAL WORKERS AND POLICE AT SCHOOLS. THOSE IDEAS WOULD BE COSTLY, WHILE OTHERS … LIKE EDUCATING RESIDENTS ON HOW TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE … WOULD COST VERY LITTLE.
ALSO SPEAKING OUT WERE EDUCATORS, PEDIATRICIANS, PARENTS AND NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS. CITY COUNCILOR KLARISSA PENA AND COUNTY COMMISSIONER DEBBIE O’MALLEY ORGANIZED THE MEETING.
